The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-05-31
MONEY PLENTY AND CHEAP.
TCt I.ouiS (Nloha- nan,oorat
Major Ren: PerIey Poore's Great
warnr

In his earlier years Major Ben: Perley
Poore won great notoriety in Boston for his
peculiar wager. This wager was made dur
ing the Fremont-Buchanan campaign, with
Col. Robert l. Burbank, now for several
years past judge of the South Boston NUM-
cipal court. The circumstances of this wag-
er and its fulilment are thus told in the Dali
ly Advertiser in its issue Of November 8
1866
A good deal of excitement was yesterday
manifested in the streets of our city at the
North End and in State, Court and fremont
streets. by persons anxious to witness the
consummaton of Maj. Ben Perley Poore's
fulflment of the conditions of wager laid
by him several weeks since with Col. r. /.
Burbank of this city. The wager was that
Fillmore would get more votes in Massachu-
sets than Fremont, the loser to give the
winner barrel of apples, and to transport
the same IN wheelbarrow from his own res
idence to that OF the winner. The gallant
major lives at Indian Hill in West NeWbury;
the equally gallant and fortune favored
colonel resides at the fremont House in Bos-
ton, the distance from house to house being
about 36 miles,
"As everybody knows last Tuesdays vote
gave Fremont more than 100000 votes in
Massachusetts against Fillmore'S less than
10000; and accordingly on the morning after
election, Maj. PoOre started on his tOilsome
errand. Col. Burbank had Immediately
written releasing him from his engagement.
put MAJ. Poore refused to avail himself of
tils courtesy and perseyered. He stopped
his 'equipage" Wednesday and Thursday
nights on the road returning himself by
railroad to his home. and again resumng the
journey the next morning, and yesterday at 2
O'Clock he was met at CharlestoWn by dele
cation from Boston who escorted him info
the city. The streets were densely crowded
with people attracted by curiosity to see him.
The escort was headed by the Boston
Cornet Band, followed by the Boston indie
pendent Fusieers After them came the
major, wheeling his barrel of apples. Above
his barrow was borne the American ensign
and another banner with the inscription:
MAJ. Poore-May the next administration
prove as faithful to their pledges as he was
TO his. Behind was an open carriage, drawn
oy 1our horses, in which was seated A.. b.
Ely and another gentleman. A large crowd
followed the procession and the major was
frequently cheered. He acknowledged the
compliment by frequent bows, and his face
pore smiling and pleasant countenance.
he wore brown hat, green baize jacket and
blue overall trousers. The wEeelbarrow and
the barrel of apples weighed 1856 pounds.
"On the arrival Of the party at the Ire
mont House an immense coneourse of PEG
pie was collected in the street. Humorous
speeches were made by Maj. Poore and Co.'s
Burbank. The major was harnessed to his
wneeDarroW by strap, and his hands and
shoulders were badly blistered Several
friends of both parties to the wager Joined
IN sumptuous banquet at the fremont
House, and the majors exploit furnished a
theme of conversation for the whole city-a
circumstance which, we dare say, quite com
pensates him for the disappointment of the
defeat of his candidate and for the labor of
his Journey"